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Itinerary

Your adventure begins in Tromsø, nicknamed the “Paris of the North,” located in an area rich with Norse and Sámi history. Enjoy exploring this sub-Arctic Norwegian town, said to have been inhabited since the last ice age.

Day 2: Sea life on the move

Crossing the North Sea, you stand an excellent chance of spotting minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. Several other cetaceans, including orcas (killer whales), are also native to these seas.

Day 3: Bear Island explorations

Bear Island is an isolated island between northern Norway and Svalbard. Some of possible landing sites are:
Sørhamna, which features the remains of a whaling station active between 1905—8, and Tunnheim, where coal mining was attempted between 1916—25 before the settlement was destroyed in WWII. Alternately, you may explore the west coast for a scenic landing opportunity.

Day 4: Traveling Tusindøyane (protected area until August 15)

At the southern reaches of Edgeøya, you enter the realm of the historic whalers and trappers. Tusindøyane, meaning “the thousand islands,” consists of numerous small islands all under special protection for the summer. You arrive after August 15, when the protection is lifted, so you can enjoy landings that are rare these days. On Ækongen, among rocks covered in fantastic lichen, you find remains of the 17th-century whalers and early 20th-century trappers. Bölscheøya is another option, with walking opportunities on the relatively flat islands. Red-throated divers may be seen on the lakes in this area, with chicks ready to fledge.

Day 5: Along east Edgeøya

The aim is to next explore the rarely seen glacier fronts of eastern Edgeøya, with a visit to Ryke Yseøyane. This area has terrain not too dissimilar to Tusindøyane and yields a good chance of spotting polar bears.

Day 6: The longest glacier in Spitsbergen

You then sail by the fully protected islands of Kong Karls Land, reaching the immense front of the Austfonna ice cap. At Bråsvellbreen you’ll be able to see meltwater waterfalls flowing into the sea. In the afternoon, you may attempt a Zodiac cruise at Isisøyane. This will take you near the ice front, with spectacular views and a chance to see polar bears.

Day 7: Views of the Kvitøya ice cap

Today you attempt to reach the rarely visited Kvitøya, far to the east and close to Russian territory. The enormous ice cap covering this island leaves only a small area bare. You land at the western tip of Andréeneset, where the Swedish explorer S. A. Andrée and his companions perished in 1897. (Your voyage will end far better.) Another objective for the day is Kræmerpynten, where a sizable group of walruses reside.

Days 8-9: Stop at the Seven Islands

The northernmost point of your voyage may be north of Nordaustlandet, in the Seven Islands. Here you reach 80° north, just 870 km (540 miles) from the geographic North Pole. You may also land on one of the Seven Islands, Sjuøyane, in a high Arctic environment where walruses may be encountered.

Day 10: Route to Raudfjorden

Sailing to Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, you take in an expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even visited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline of this fjord also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the possibility of polar bears.

Day 11: The splendors of Prins Karls Forland

Reaching the western coast of Spitsbergen, the search is on for walruses in Forlandsundet. Fuglehuken, on the northern tip of Prins Karls Forland, is home to the northernmost population of harbor seals in the world. The goal is a decent walk to see wildlife, 17th-century whaler graves, and the remains of the trapping era.

Day 12: Journey’s end in Longyearbyen

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

Included

All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea

All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac

Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff

Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes

Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on the group flights to and from Longyearbyen

All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program

AECO fees and governmental taxes

Comprehensive pre-departure material

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the nature of expedition cruising, itineraries are subject to change due to weather, ice conditions, natural and cultural events, wildlife viewing opportunities and other logistical considerations. In general, a ship's crew will endeavor to complete the itinerary provided, but the ultimate decision lies with the ship's captain and expedition leaders.